Telemedicine-guided forearm emergency decompressive fasciotomy for compartment syndrome

• Published in: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
• Main Authors: Park, J Patrick, Montreuil, Julien, Nooh, Anas, Martineau, Paul A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2020
• Subjects: inuit; Nunavik
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1357633x20964359; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1357633X20964359; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/1357633X20964359

Introduction We highlight the utility of telemedicine and telementoring for the management of orthopaedic emergencies using a case of forearm compartment syndrome following a penetrating trauma in a northern Inuit community in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada. Methods & Results As in many cases of compartment syndrome in rural settings, the patient was at a high risk of developing irreversible complications. A prompt diagnosis followed by an emergency decompressive fasciotomy was warranted. Using telemedicine and telementoring guidance, the diagnosis of compartment syndrome was made, and the patient’s volar compartment was successfully decompressed by a local emergency physician in a timely manner. Subsequently, the patient was able to be safely transferred to a level 1 trauma centre for further surgical management. This included a second-look operative exploration, irrigation and debridement, completion of volar fasciotomy and ulnar nerve decompression. No complications were seen. Discussion Our experience highlights two important clinical implications. First, telemedicine can be successfully implemented to facilitate clinical diagnosis of surgical emergencies in the rural setting. Second, telementoring can effectively allow surgeons to guide physicians remotely to perform emergency decompressive fasciotomy, which can help salvage the affected limb and significantly decrease the risk of debilitating complications.